In today’s world, where teams, organizations, and businesses grapple with multifaceted, unpredictable, and rapidly-evolving challenges, courageous leadership is vital.
Poor leadership drains the global economy by a staggering $7 trillion, according to Gallup research.
Declining culture and morale trigger a drop in engagement, stifles innovation, and hinders productivity — ultimately disrupting and stalling overall performance.
Teams and organizations are tasked with closing this leadership gap by developing a pipeline of aspiring and emerging leaders equipped to overcome obstacles, drive innovation, and do what is right, not what is easy.
“It takes curiosity to learn. It takes courage to unlearn,” says organizational psychologist and best-selling author Adam Grant.
“Learning requires the humility to admit what you don’t know today. Unlearning requires the integrity to admit that you were wrong yesterday. Learning is how you evolve. Unlearning is how you keep up as the world evolves.”
Great leadership isn’t just about steering others — it starts with leading ourselves. In the spirit of curiosity and courage, here are 14 questions for us to reflect on as high performers and positive difference-makers:
- How can I make life better for other people?
- What problems can I turn into opportunities?
- What is it that I don’t know, but need to know?
- What did I do today to make myself a better person than I was yesterday?
- How do I become a person of value?
- What value do I have that can be shared with others?
- What am I willing to sacrifice for the things I want in life?
- What do I need to change about myself to become a more productive person?
- What is the single most important thing I can do to improve the quality of my life?
- What is the single biggest time waster in my life, and what am I doing about it?
- What is the one thing that matters most to me?
- Do I feel energized with what I am doing with my career and life?
- Am I a thoughtful and careful listener?
- If I had to live my life once, what would I do differently?
Asking ourselves these questions can catalyze personal growth and leadership development.
Ultimately, it’s not just our skills or knowledge that define us as leaders — it’s our willingness to confront tough truths, continually learn and unlearn, and embrace the growth that comes from asking the right questions.
The answers may not always be easy, but they become the foundation on which we rise, equipping us to adapt, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to the lives of others.
Written by : George Raveling
Referred to by many as “Coach,” George Raveling has transcended the intersections of sports, business, and culture. Following a standout college basketball career at Villanova University, he ascended to head coaching positions at Washington State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Southern California.
After retiring from coaching, Raveling joined Nike at the request of Phil Knight, where he played an integral role in signing a reluctant Michael Jordan. His renowned achievements include induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER
A newsletter from an 87-year-old Modern Elder, seamlessly blending profound and timeless life lessons from the intersection of sports, leadership, business, history, and culture.
